Date

Author

Metadata

Citable URI

As published

DOI

10.5670/oceanog.2007.55

Abstract

The ocean represents a major reservoir
of sulfur on Earth, with large quantities
in the form of dissolved sulfate and
sedimentary minerals (e.g., gypsum
and pyrite). Sulfur occurs in a variety
of valence states, ranging from –2 (as
in sulfide and reduced organic sulfur)
to +6 (as in sulfate). Sulfate is the most
stable form of sulfur on today’s oxic
Earth; weathering and leaching of rocks
and sediments are its main sources to
the ocean. In addition, the reduced inorganic
forms of sulfur, with oxidation
states of –2 and 0 (as in elemental sulfur)
are quite common in anoxic environments,
with sulfur compounds of mixed
valence states (e.g., thiosulfate and polythionates)
produced transiently. The
natural release of volatile organic sulfur
compounds from the ocean, mainly as
dimethyl sulfide (DMS), transports sulfur
from the ocean to terrestrial regions,
and it also affects atmospheric chemistry
and the climate system. While
they remain very important, natural sulfur
emissions have currently been overtaken
by anthropogenic emissions, primarily
from the burning of fossil fuels.

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